17 CHAPTER SIXTEEN: HER SISTERS' ANGER

Melissa was in her room busy checking out proposals submitted for the new project they have at hand. This is a very tiring job but she had to do it to a maximum so as to submit it to Drew for check first thing on Monday morning. The most annoying thing was that Chris was busy disturbing her with calls, text messages, and emails. This isn't allowing her to concentrate. This made her pick the phone angrily.

"What exactly do you want?" She shouted.

"Please Melissa let's talk" he pleaded.

"See, I'm to busy to talk right now. You are really disturbing my peace. I have work to do, man" she blurts.

"Please I'm begging you".

She gave in knowing he won't let her be until she listen. "Go ahead but make it snappy, I have important things to attend to" she said baldly.

"So as not to take your time, let's see" he suggested.

"No" she retorted.

"Please Melissa. I know I've deeply wronged you and I'm truely sorry. I didn't know what came over me that day. I swear that would be my last" he pleaded with a shaky voice.

Melissa who has lot of sympathy for weak voices as he displayed, would have pitied him and accept him but to her own surprise, his voice irritates her and the more he speaks the more angrier she got. She dropped the phone and put it on loud speaker so that she can hear his words without having to hold the phone.

"Chris I've forgiven and forgotten everything, if that's what you wanted to say. I have to go" she said.

Her voice could vividly explain that he was a disturbance.

"Don't do this to me Melly. I know I messed up big time for slapping you and I'm ready to face anything you want to do to me. Please don't leave me" he pleaded and from his voice it could be detected that he wants to cry.

This didn't move Melissa a bit. What pained her was that Drew was a witness to his act. Every since the incidence, she has been avoiding him. She couldn't bring herself to face him alone. She was really asha!ed of herself. The more she remember Drew's pitiful look, the more she got angry.

"Don't beg me Chris, because I don't think you know the gravity of what you did. Do you think it was the slap that affected me most? No Chris. It was the fact that you slapped me right in front of Drew. The most painful thinuis that, I just magnified you that you are better than him in many ways few minutes before you came in to display your melodrama which ended with tragedy. Had I know I would have kept my little mouth shut. It would have reduced my embarrassment" she whines bitterly.

"I'm so sorry. If you want !e to apologize to Drew I will gladly do it just to have you back".

"That's crying over a spilt milk. Drew now sees me as someone who isn't capable of making the right choice because of your immature act" she said irascibly.

"Melly, are you now living your life for Drew?" He asked softly.

"You've started" she snapped.

Then she realised that that was exactly what her words insinuated.

"I don't know why you are envious of Drew, who doesn't even care about your existence. You don't....."

Tyndall barged in. She has heard enough of the conversation. It wasn't as if she determined to eavesdrop. She got a call from her boss to do something she knew Melissa was very familiar with. She was still on her call when she made her way to Melissa's room and when she got closer to the door, what she heard was shocking and heartbreaking. She couldn't even hear her boss who was repeating words anymore, till the call dropped. She didn't on Adam think of such thing happening. It was as if she is hallucinating.

"I can't believe this!" She shouted.

Melissa quickly ended the call. "What?"

She wished Tyndall didn't overheard her conversation but the look she wore told otherwise.

"Don't pretend, I heard everything" she said irkly.

"It's rude of you to eavesdrop" she said firmly.

"I wasn't eavesdropping. I only came to ask for something when the shock of what I heard stopped me" she said still foaming. "So it was that son of a b**ch that slapped you" she shouted angrily.

"Watch your tongue and stop shouting" she said with a scolding voice.

"Let me shout or else I'll break something" she yowled. "I can't believe you kept such thing from us big sis" she said in ire.

Melissa just stare at her.

"I knew it. I knew there was something wrong at the accident you claimed happened at the office".

Melissa still didn't reply her.

"I'm so angry...." Her phone rang.

It was Tyndall's boss. She called back when she didn't receive her reply earlier. Tyndall gave Melissa a big sad look and left.

Melissa felt like breaking something herself and that should be Chris' head. All the week she managed to keep it from her sisters. She knew it would come out one day but she wasn't expecting it to be now.

"Shit! This idiot messed everything up. What am I to say that will defend this stupid clueless guy" she basked on her bed with frustration.

She was scared to face her sisters and also ashamed because they never liked him.

If Drew has gotten a prophet or soothsayer to tell him not to go to Melissa's place, he would have been more than glad but unfortunately for him no one did.

He's been trying to reach meli but he couldn't. Her line was busy, so also was all the mails he sent not read. He was urgently in need of her so he headed for her house. When he entered, he found no one in the living room. As he was about to make himself known, Tyndall walked out slowly but she had her phone to her ears.

To Drew's surprise, she didn't give him her usual sweet smile whenever he come around. She just gave him a curt bow and walked to the other side of the room. He began to wonder what was going on then Somaria came out.

"Tin, why order me out?" She asked , then she saw Drew. "Hello Drew" she said grinning.

Drew's mind came at rest because seeing her lively attitude depicts that there is no problem.

"Hello Ria. How are you?"

"Always good and you?"

"Pretty cool" they hugged.

"Never heard of your coming" she said as they sat down.

"Yeah didn't know I'll come either" he said and looked at Tyndall who wore a big frown. "What's up with that girl?" He asked with an inquisitive look.

"Who? Tin?" Somaria asked and he gave a nod. "She was kinda fine earlier. Why the question?"

"Don't you see her look? She didn't even gibe me a good welcome" he replied.

"It might be boss thing" Somaria smiled. "So what brought the almighty Drew" she joked.

"Come on Ria" he laughed. "Where's Melly?"

"In her room"

"I've been trying to reach her all day. I don't know who she's calling neither is she reading my messages. Her line has been telling me busy all the while" he said.

"That should be network issues but I think she's busy with work that's why she's not reading your mails. She might not have discovered it" she defended.

"Can you help me get her?"

"Sure" she stood and went in.

Tyndall was looking at Drew with an angry face.

"What?" He mouthed.

Tyndall didn't reply but gave him a stiff smile.

When Melissa heard that Drew is around, she got more tired.

"Why today of all day" she said like she's going to cry.

"What did you say?" Somaria asked.

"Don't bother. Tell him I'll be out in a jiffy".

As Somaria left, Melissa wondered why Drew would come without informing her. Then she took her phone and she saw that the missed calls on her phone wasn't Chris's alone but it includes Drew's. She was so vexed at Chris for making her miss the call. Checking her mails, she got a clue why Drew was here. He knew hed be angry for making him come. She didn't in any way device that such things will happen to her in !after of few minutes.

By the time she got into the sitting room, she expected to see Tyndall shouting and getting angry at Drew but she saw her receiving a call and that was a kind of relieve.

"Hello sir" she bowed.

Drew didn't reply. "What's going on? I've been trying to reach your line and it's been busy all day neither are you reading your mails. Who are you talking to that much?" He asked bossily but not hasrsh.

"She was busy receiving apology from her boyfriend" Tyndall replied instead.

She dropped her phone on the table on the center table and faced the two, folding her arms. The looks she wore wasn't pleasing at all.

"Apology?" Somaria asked. "What for?" She gave a confused look.

Melissa sat down looking at Drew who knew Tyndall just found out.

"Why am I not receiving an answer?" She asked impatiently.

Tyndall faced Drew. "Drew I'm so sorry if this upsets you but I'm so disappointed. You didn't even breathe out a word" she said weakly but angrily.

Drew gave her a firm look. "You can't expect me to start distributing the news I wasn't sent. That's called pokenosing girl. So don't get angry at me" he was stern.

Tyndall calmed down. "But we are friends" she said palely.

"Yes but not friends to share others privacy" he corrected.

"Big sis is not others" she disagreed.

Somaria was fed up because she was thrown in the dark of what is happening.

"I don't get you two. You are acting as if I'm not part of this family. You are not giving me a clear picture of what is going on. I'm so confused here. Nobody says anything again except I'm being clarified" she said sternly.

Drew rued humps coming. Melissa just wore a plain look expecting the worse while Tyndall was frothy with anger.

"You remember that day came home early from work with swollen pink face and a plastered lip?"

Tyndall began the explanation.

The look on Somaria shows that she was ready and booting to explode. "Yes I do".

"You know we'd ask her what happened?" She was picking her words one after the other so as to suppress her burning anger.

"She said it was an accident from work" she nodded as she talked as if trying affirm her reply so as not to make mistake.

"That was a blatant lie. That mad man slapped her" she bawled.

Somaria could not react immediately because she didn't understand her well.

"Mad man, mad man" she called repeatedly as if she is trying to recollect who answers the name mad man.

"Chris" Tyndall helped her.

Somaria became like a dummy immediately. She smiled like a Charlie. "You are joking right?"

"No I'm not. I overheard her phone calls" she replied.

Somaria looked at Melissa. "She's kidding me right?" She asked beginning to shake with anger.

Melissa didn't reply she just looked away.

"That monster dare to lay his filthy hands on you!" She said with a stiff vibrating voice. Even her breath was vibrating.

Drew was surprised at the way Somaria's mood switched immediately. He has never seen her get angry and now there's nothing he wished more than not yo have seen it.

Melissa knew this is what is coming. Her sisters don't treat anyone who dares treat her bad nice. She could remember how they dealt with a guy who insulted her and she came home to tell them. The guy landed at the hospital after they waylaid him and beat him up. Ever since then she promised not to tell them if anything transpires between her and anyone again.

"I knew it. That guy is a devil" Tyndall spitted out

"You two should calm down" Drew asserted gently.

He didn't know they love their sister this much. He really love their caring attitude.

"No we won't, until that son of a b**ch has the taste of his own medicine" Tyndall said in ire.

"He said it qaa a mistake" Melissa said in a low voice.

"Don't....." She closed her eyes swallowing the crude words she was about to shout. "Don't give me that" she said glaring at her.

Somaria stood up suddenly. "I'm going to kill that idiot" she went to where she kept her car keys and headed out not minding the way she is dressed.

Drew knew if he didn't do something she would surely go. He quickly jumped in front of her and held her.

"Let me go Drew" she shouted.

"Calm down Ria" he said hugging her tightly.

Somaria struggled to be free but Drew was more stronger.

"Just be calm. It's not totally his fauy. It was mine" he said still holding panting Somaria.

He could feeling her heartbeats. It was pounding hard and fast. He knew if he released her, she can do and undo.

"Don't blame yourself" Melissa said softly.

Drew glared at her. It was then she realised she was ruining his plans to calm her sisters down.

"Sorry" she mouthed.

"Can you slap your girl because of anyone?" Tyndall asked looking so vexed.

He led Somaria back to the sofa and sat her down beside him so that she won't jump to leave again.

"No I can't but we all have different temperament" he replied softly.

"It's only a mad man that will raise his hand against a girl talk more of his girl. That makes him an animal" frosty Somaria said.

"I know but you don't have to get this angry" he gave her a soothing look.

"What caused the fight?" Tyndall asked.

"If I hadn't forced Melly to eat with me, he won't have have met her in my office not to talk of seeing her with the flask. This made him think it was hers and he exploded. You know he doesn't trust me" he explained.

His explanation seems to be in favour of Chris which was surprising to Melissa. She didn't even know he could try to defend Chris.

"Tell !e how that's your fault. That guy is just a mad dog. Just let me go treat him that way" Somaria pleaded trying to free herself from Drew's grip but his hand were firmly rapped round her.

"No Ria. Violence won't solve violence" he disagreed.

"Not in this case. Let him be taught a lesson on how to control his stupid cantankerous anger" she bawled.

"This case is not up to what you are taking it to be" he said with a stiff smile.

"Oh we should stay calm until he kills the only parent we have left huh?" Tyndall whose eyes glistened with tears because of the anger of not been able to do nothing asked.

At the sound of Tyndall's shaky voice, Melissa's heart shook, while Drew's melt. Melissa bowed her head in ignominy.

"I never said that. If I was happy I won't have gone to him to give him strict warnings".

Melissa looked at him sharply. He didn't know if the look was for scolding PR surprise.

"That's not enough. Warning isn't enough. I feel like to flay the guy" Somaria blurted out.

"Ladies you two need to calm so as not to be equal with the guy. Don't make your sister feel so sad. She won't be happy seeing you two like this. Bet it with me, it was because she knows you would be sad and react like this that's why she kept the news from you at the first instance" he calmed them down using their love for their sister.

The two looked at Melissa who has her head bent and they sighed. They never love to see their sister unhappy because of what she went through for them. Their childhood wasn't a very happy one especially for Melissa. They knew what she went through just to feed and school them. Even a parent wouldn't have done that much. That's why it seems like their sister is their god.

Drew knew he caught them that way. They've severally narrated their childhood experience to him and the part Melissa played. Even Drew was taken aback. He also heard about the promise of her sisters which she herself knows nothing of. Drew concurred that she deserves all the pampering given to her by her sisters.

"I'm not saying I won't calm but today ends the relationship between her and that beat" Somaria said authoritatively.

"C'mon Ria, you can't end a relationship because of a slap that was a mistake" he said in a very cool voice so as not to anger her again.

"Is it when he beats her up that the relationship should end?" She asked with a frown.

Drew himself wasn't in support of her continuing the relationship but he knew she won't be happy if he supports her sisters.

"I didn't say that. The guy may not be as bad as we think. You know...." He groaned gently. He has never done this kind of thing before so he is finding it hard to say the right words. ".... Don't let us do things we would later rue doing" he finally said after he thought of what to say.

"I'll never rue ending their relationship" Tyndall said confidently.

"Ok ladies, let's do it this way. We can't conclude with just one happening that the guy is totally bad. Why not let's give him a second chance. You know everyone deserves a second chance" he said with a suggesting and pleading voice at the same time.

"Do you know what the second chance holds?" Somaria asked.

"No I don't but the guy might have realised his mistake" he defended.

Melissa was looking at Drew surprisingly. He was taking sides of the guy who sees him an enemy and a stumbling block. She wasn't even expecting him to be enthusiastic about her relationship. He has always amazed her with his overly cool and loving attitude which wasn't her first impression of him.

Drew smiled her at briefly but she didn't return his smile. She was just looking at him.

"I don't think so" Tyndall disagreed.

"You can't be so sure until he is given another chance" he said with a serious look.

"Even if he comes ba k to Big sis, I can't just imagine myself accepting him. I tell you the truth, he'll keep annoying me" she said blankly.

"When you see a change of character, it will wear off" he ascertained.

"Whether it will wear off or not, I don't want to see that guy anywhere near this house at else, I'll be forced to pounce on him" Somaria threatened.

Drew knew that with those words, he has won the ladies' heart and he was glad he did. He looked at Melissa and nod.

"I'm not feeling myself anymore. I need to bet some apace before I explode" Tyndall stood up and went inside.

Somaria stood up too and averted but stopped abruptly.

"Drew, I'm not having a good feeling about this second chance but because of Melly, I'll let it be" she then left without another word.

Melissa exhaled heavily and looked at Drew. It was then he noticed that she had moisture in her eyes ready to stream down her cheek. He moved closer to her and she hugged him tightly immediately. This took him aback.

"Why the tears?"

"Thank you! Thanks you! Thanks you Drew. What would I have done without you here today" she said amist tears.

"No thanks dear. You know I'll do anything for you" he said patting her hair.

She raised her head to look at him. "I didn't know you would do that much" she said smiling and sniffing at same time.

"Because you thought me as the enemy" he smiled erasing her tears with his thumb.

Melissa shook her head and smiled. She was still looking up at him with her arms still rapped round him.

"I've always known you to be a good man" she said sweetly.

"Since you are so grateful, why not give me a kiss as a compensating gift".

She quickly moved back removed the arms she rapped round him which was what he wanted initially. She looked at him with astonishment.

"It's not as if I told you to kiss me on the lips. Kissing can be done anywhere aside that" he smiled.

"You must be kidding me" she snapped with a wide look.

Drew laughed. "And now, that's my Melly".

'Poppycock" she joined him. "But seriously, thank you. You saved my ass" she said after her laughter resided.

"You are mostly welcome dear" he kissed her forehead.

"What!" She said almost laughing.

"Since you didn't want to do it, I did it for you" he said.

"Drew" she called and he shrugs which brought about another laughter.